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Abstract:

An applicator for use in the application of, for example, adhesive-backed
material from a roll to a surface may be configured to hold the roll of
adhesive-backed material and to apply the adhesive-backed material from
the roll to the surface using two rollers.

Claims:

1. An applicator for use in the application of adhesive-backed material
from a roll of adhesive-backed material to a wall surface, the applicator
comprising: a base portion movable over a ground surface; an upright
member extending from a bottom portion to a top portion along an upright
member vertical axis, wherein the bottom portion of the upright member is
coupled to the base portion; and material holding apparatus movable to
one or more positions along the upright member vertical axis, wherein the
material holding apparatus comprises: a frame adjustably coupled to the
upright member for movement of the material holding apparatus along the
upright member vertical axis, roll holding apparatus coupled to the frame
and configured to hold the roll of adhesive-backed material, a first
roller coupled to the frame and configured to rotate about a first roller
vertical axis, and a second roller coupled to the frame and configured to
rotate about a second roller vertical axis, wherein the first roller and
the second roller are configured to position a portion of the
adhesive-backed material in a plane for application to a wall surface.

2. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the material holding apparatus is
configured to apply the adhesive-backed material to a wall surface when
the portion of the adhesive-backed material positioned in a plane is
moved into contact with the wall surface and the material holding
apparatus is moved over the ground surface while the adhesive-backed
material is maintained in contact with the wall surface to continuously
apply the adhesive-backed material from the roll of adhesive-backed
material to the wall surface.

3. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the roll holding apparatus is
configured to hold the roll of adhesive-backed material along a roll
axis, wherein the roll axis is parallel to each of the first and the
second roller vertical axes.

4. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the roll holding apparatus is
further configured to hold the roll of adhesive-backed material such that
the roll of adhesive-backed material is rotatable about the roll axis.

5. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the material holding apparatus is
further configured to apply the adhesive-backed material to the wall
surface by extending the adhesive-backed material from the roll to an
outer surface of each of the first and the second rollers.

6. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the base portion defines a
perimeter and comprises: a base frame extending about at least a portion
of the perimeter, a first horizontal wheel rotationally coupled to the
base frame proximate a first corner of the perimeter to rotate about a
first wheel vertical axis and, a second horizontal wheel rotationally
coupled to the base frame proximate a second corner of the perimeter to
rotate about a second wheel vertical axis, wherein the first and the
second horizontal wheels and the first and the second rollers are
configurable to contact a wall surface simultaneously.

7. The applicator of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the
circumference of each of the first and the second horizontal wheels and
the first and the second rollers defines a plane when configured to
contact a wall surface simultaneously.

8. The applicator of claim 1, wherein each of the first and the second
rollers comprises resilient material.

9. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the frame of the material holding
apparatus is rotationally coupled to the upright member for movement of
the material holding apparatus about the upright member vertical axis.

10. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the material holding apparatus is
positionable in one or more positions along the upright member vertical
axis.

11. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises a
plurality of wheels configured to engage the ground surface and to allow
the base portion to be moved over the ground surface.

12. An applicator for use in the application of adhesive-backed material
from a roll of adhesive-backed material to a surface, the applicator
comprising: a frame; roll holding apparatus coupled to the frame and
configured to hold the roll of adhesive-backed material; a first roller
coupled to the frame and configured to rotate about a first roller axis;
and a second roller coupled to the frame and configured to rotate about a
second roller axis, wherein the first roller and the second roller are
configured to position a portion of the adhesive-backed material in a
plane for application to a surface.

13. The applicator of claim 12, wherein the frame, the first roller, and
the second roller are configured to apply the adhesive-backed material to
a surface when the portion of the adhesive-backed material positioned in
a plane is moved into contact with the surface and the frame is moved
with respect to the surface while the adhesive-backed material is
maintained in contact with the surface to continuously apply the
adhesive-backed material from the roll of adhesive-backed material to the
surface.

14. The applicator of claim 12, wherein the roll holding apparatus is
configured to hold the roll of adhesive-backed material along a roll
axis, wherein the roll axis is parallel to each of the first and the
second roller axes.

15. The applicator of claim 12, wherein the roll holding apparatus is
further configured to hold the roll of adhesive-backed material such that
the roll of adhesive-backed material rotatable about the roll axis.

16. The applicator of claim 12, wherein the frame, the first roller, and
the second roller are further configured to apply the adhesive-backed
material to the surface by extending the adhesive-backed material from
the roll to an outer surface of each of the first and the second rollers.

17. The applicator of claim 12, wherein each of the first and the second
rollers comprises resilient material.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
Ser. No. 61/508,272, filed 15 Jul. 2011, entitled "APPLICATOR," which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The disclosure herein relates generally to an applicator for
holding a roll of material, e.g., adhesively-backed material used to
cover, or line, the walls of a spray booth.

[0004] Various materials may be used to cover, or line, the walls of a
spray booth to trap particulate matter within the booth. For example, 3M
DIRT TRAP material is adhesive-backed material that may be applied to the
walls of a spray booth to trap particulate matter.

SUMMARY

[0005] The disclosure herein relates generally to an applicator for
holding a roll of material used to trap particulate matter and applying
the material to a surface, e.g., a wall, floor, ceiling, etc. The
applicator may include a stand and material holding apparatus movably
connected to the stand portion. The material holding apparatus may be
movable upwardly and downwardly along the stand portion, and may be
configured to apply the material to a surface. For example, the material
holding apparatus may present at least a portion of the material in a
substantially planar configuration and a user may move the material
holding apparatus towards the surface such that the substantially planar
surface of the portion of the material contacts and adheres to the
surface. The user may then move the applicator along the wall in a
direction parallel to the surface. As the user moves the applicator along
the surface, the material may un-roll, or un-spool, from the roll of
material, may follow a delivery path within the framework of the material
holding apparatus, and may be applied to the surface.

[0006] One exemplary applicator disclosed herein for use in the
application of adhesive-backed material from a roll of adhesive-backed
material to a wall surface may include a base portion movable over a
ground surface, an upright member extending from a bottom portion to a
top portion along an upright member vertical axis (e.g., wherein the
bottom portion of the upright member is coupled to the base portion), and
material holding apparatus movable to one or more positions along the
upright member vertical axis. The material holding apparatus may include
a frame adjustably coupled to the upright member for movement of the
material holding apparatus along the upright member vertical axis, roll
holding apparatus coupled to the frame and configured to hold the roll of
adhesive-backed material, a first roller coupled to the frame and
configured to rotate about a first roller vertical axis, and a second
roller coupled to the frame and configured to rotate about a second
roller vertical axis (e.g., wherein the first roller and the second
roller are configured to position a portion of the adhesive-backed
material in a plane for application to a wall surface).

[0007] One or more embodiments of the applicator may include one or more
of the following features: the material holding apparatus may be
configured to apply the adhesive-backed material to a wall surface when
the portion of the adhesive-backed material positioned in a plane is
moved into contact with the wall surface the material holding apparatus
is moved over the ground surface while the adhesive-backed material is
maintained in contact with the wall surface to continuously apply the
adhesive-backed material from the roll of adhesive-backed material to the
wall surface; the roll holding apparatus may be configured to hold the
roll of adhesive-backed material along a roll axis (e.g., wherein the
roll axis is parallel to each of the first and the second roller vertical
axes); the roll holding apparatus may be configured to hold the roll of
adhesive-backed material such that the roll of adhesive-backed material
is rotatable about the roll axis; the material holding apparatus may be
configured to apply the adhesive-backed material to the wall surface by
extending the adhesive-backed material from the roll to an outer surface
of each of the first and the second rollers; the base portion may define
a perimeter and include a base frame extending about at least a portion
of the perimeter, a first horizontal wheel rotationally coupled to the
base frame proximate a first corner of the perimeter to rotate about a
first wheel vertical axis and, a second horizontal wheel rotationally
coupled to the base frame proximate a second corner of the perimeter to
rotate about a second wheel vertical axis (e.g., wherein the first and
the second horizontal wheels and the first and the second rollers are
configurable to contact a wall surface simultaneously); at least a
portion of the circumference of each of the first and the second
horizontal wheels and the first and the second rollers may define a plane
when configured to contact a wall surface simultaneously; each of the
first and the second rollers may include a resilient material (e.g., a
foam material); the frame of the material holding apparatus may be
rotationally coupled to the upright member for movement of the material
holding apparatus about the upright member vertical axis; the material
holding apparatus may be positionable in one or more positions along the
upright member vertical axis; and/or the base portion may include a
plurality of wheels configured to engage the ground surface and to allow
the base portion to be moved over the ground surface.

[0008] Another exemplary applicator for use in the application of
adhesive-backed material from a roll of adhesive-backed material to a
surface may include a frame, roll holding apparatus coupled to the frame
and configured to hold the roll of adhesive-backed material, a first
roller coupled to the frame and configured to rotate about a first roller
axis, and a second roller coupled to the frame and configured to rotate
about a second roller axis (e.g., wherein the first roller and the second
roller are configured to position a portion of the adhesive-backed
material in a plane for application to a surface).

[0009] One or more embodiments of the applicator may include one or more
of the following features: the frame, the first roller, and the second
roller may be configured to apply the adhesive-backed material to a
surface when the portion of the adhesive-backed material positioned in a
plane is moved into contact with the surface and the frame is moved with
respect to the surface while the adhesive-backed material is maintained
in contact with the surface to continuously apply the adhesive-backed
material from the roll of adhesive-backed material to the surface; the
roll holding apparatus may be configured to hold the roll of
adhesive-backed material along a roll axis (e.g., wherein the roll axis
is parallel to each of the first and the second roller axes); the roll
holding apparatus may be configured to hold the roll of adhesive-backed
material such that the roll of adhesive-backed material rotatable about
the roll axis; the frame, the first roller, and the second roller may be
configured to apply the adhesive-backed material to the surface by
extending the adhesive-backed material from the roll to an outer surface
of each of the first and the second rollers; and each of the first and
the second rollers may include resilient material (e.g., a foam).

[0010] The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or
every implementation of the present disclosure. A more complete
understanding will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the
following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an exemplary applicator.

[0012] FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 1A
holding material.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 1A
holding material.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of another exemplary applicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0023] In the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which form a
part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific
embodiments which may be practiced. It is to be understood that other
embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without
departing from (e.g., still falling within) the scope of the disclosure
presented hereby.

[0024] Exemplary apparatus shall be described with reference to FIGS. 1-9.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that elements from one
embodiment may be used in combination with elements of the other
embodiments, and that the possible embodiments of such apparatus using
combinations of features set forth herein is not limited to the specific
embodiments shown in the Figures and/or described herein. Further, it
will be recognized that the embodiments described herein may include many
elements that are not necessarily shown to scale. Still further, it will
be recognized that the size and shape of various elements herein may be
modified but still fall within the scope of the present disclosure,
although certain one or more shapes and/or sizes, or types of elements,
may be advantageous over others.

[0025] An exemplary embodiment of an applicator 10 for use in the
application of adhesive-backed material from a roll of adhesive-backed
material to a wall surface is depicted in FIGS. 1-5. Generally, the
applicator 10 includes a base portion 20, an upright member 30, and
material holding apparatus 40, and is located on a ground surface 12.

[0026] The base portion 20 of the applicator 10 engages, or contacts, the
ground surface 12 to support the applicator 10 above the ground surface
12. Further, the base portion 20 may enable movement of the applicator 10
across the ground surface 12. As shown, the base portion 20 includes a
plurality (e.g., four) of wheels 22 connected (e.g., pivotally coupled)
to a base frame 24.

[0027] The base frame 24 may define a perimeter 25 around the base portion
20 of the applicator 10 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3B). The base portion 20
may further include one or more horizontal wheels 26 coupled to the base
frame 24 proximate at least one corner of the perimeter 25. The one or
more horizontal wheels 26 may be used in conjunction with the material
holding apparatus 40 to apply adhesive-backed material to a wall surface
as will be described further herein. Each of the horizontal wheels 26 may
be configured to rotate about a vertical axis 27 that may be
substantially perpendicular to the ground surface 12.

[0028] The upright member 30 may extend from a bottom portion 32 to a top
portion 34 along an upright member vertical axis 36. The bottom portion
32 of the upright member 30 may be coupled to the base portion 20 (e.g.,
the base frame 24). As shown, the bottom portion 32 of the upright member
30 is coupled to the base portion 20 in a generally central location of
the base portion 20 using a bracket and a plurality of bolts. Although
this embodiment uses bolts to couple the upright member 30 to the base
portion 20, any coupling technique, e.g., such as welding, may be used to
couple these two elements.

[0029] Further, the elements of the applicator 10 (e.g., the base portion
20, the upright member 30, the material holding apparatus 40, etc.) may
be formed of any material (e.g., steel, aluminum, a polymer, etc.) as
would be known by one having skill in the art. Further, such elements may
be hollow, solid, circular, square, and/or any other shape, size, or
configuration as would be known by one having skill in the art.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, the upright member 30 may define a
length extending from the bottom portion 32 to the top portion 34 of
about 3 feet to about 7 feet, or greater (e.g., 9 feet, 10 feet, 11 feet,
12 feet). As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the upright member 30 defines a hollow,
circular cross section (e.g., a cylindrical shape).

[0031] The material holding apparatus 40 may be configured to hold the
roll 50 of adhesive-backed material 52 in a manner that allows the
material 52 to be applied to a wall surface. The adhesive-backed material
52 may define a front surface 60 and a back surface 62. The back surface
62 may include adhesive such that the back surface 62 may be applied to
wall surfaces to present the front surface 60 facing outwardly from the
wall surface to, e.g., trap particulate matter. In at least one
embodiment, the adhesive-backed material 52 is 3M DIRT TRAP material.

[0032] Although the exemplary systems and apparatus are described herein
with respect to the application of an adhesive-backed material, it is to
be understood the exemplary systems and apparatus may be used in the
application of any type of material to a surface. In at least one
embodiment, the exemplary systems and apparatus may be used with material
that lacks adhesive.

[0033] The roll 50 may further include a cylindrical core 54 upon which
the material 52 is wrapped, or spooled, with the back surface 62, i.e.,
the surface including adhesive, facing inwardly (e.g., facing towards the
core 54) and the front surface facing outwardly (e.g., facing away from
the core 54). The adhesive-backed material 52 may further define a length
and a height 64 (as shown in FIG. 5B). The adhesive-backed material 52
may be wrapped lengthwise about the core 54 to form the roll 50. The
length of the material 52 may be any suitable length when unwrapped from
the roll 50. In one or more embodiments, the height 64 may be about 20
inches to about 96 inches, although the material may be of any suitable
height. In at least one embodiment, the length, for example, is 300 feet
and the height 64 is 28 inches. In at least another embodiment, for
example, the height 64 is 36 inches. In at least another embodiment, for
example, the height 64 is 56 inches.

[0034] The material holding apparatus 40 may be configured to direct, or
extend, the material 52 from the roll 50 to a position at which it may be
applied to a wall surface 90 (as shown in FIGS. 4A-C). More specifically,
the material holding apparatus 40 may be configured to apply the
adhesive-backed material 52 to a wall surface by positioning a portion 51
of the adhesive-backed material 52 in a plane and maintaining the
adhesive-backed material 52 in contact with the wall surface to
continuously apply the adhesive-backed material 52 from the roll 50 of
adhesive-backed material 52 to the wall surface 90.

[0035] For example, the applicator 10, and in turn the material holding
apparatus 40, may be moved such the portion 51 of the adhesive-backed
material 52 positioned in a plane is moved into contact with the wall
surface 90. Due to the contact with the wall surface 90, the portion 51
of the adhesive-backed material 52 may adhere, or stick, to the wall
surface 90. The applicator 10 may then be moved over the ground surface
12, e.g., in a direction parallel the wall surface 90, while force is
applied to the applicator 10 to maintain the adhesive-backed material 52
in contact with the wall surface 90. As the applicator 10 moves, the
adhesive-backed material 52 will be continuously unspooled, or unwrapped,
from the roll 50 and be continuously applied (e.g., adhered, stuck, etc.)
to the wall surface 90, even around corners.

[0036] Further, the material holding apparatus 40 may be movable to one or
more positions along the upright member vertical axis 36 to, e.g., apply
adhesive-backed material 52 to a wall surface 90 at various heights. For
example, the material holding apparatus 40 is positioned in a middle
position as shown in FIG. 4A, in an upper position as shown in FIG. 4B,
and in a lower position as shown in FIG. 4c.

[0037] The material holding apparatus 40 may further be movable, or
rotatable, about the upright member vertical axis 36 (e.g., rotatable
around the upright member vertical axis). For example, the material
holding apparatus 40 depicted in FIG. 4c has been rotated 180 degrees
with respect to the remainder of the applicator 10 from where it was in
FIG. 4A. In at least one embodiment, the rotation may allow the material
holding apparatus 40 to reach the lowermost position depicted in FIG. 4c,
e.g., to apply adhesive-backed material 52 to a lower portion of a wall
surface 90. In at least another embodiment (e.g., the embodiment depicted
in FIGS. 7-8), the applicator 20 may be configured such that the material
holding apparatus 40 may not need to be rotated to reach the lowermost
position as depicted in FIG. 4c.

[0038] In at least the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-5, the material
holding apparatus 40 includes a frame 42, roll holding apparatus 46, a
first roller 70, and a second roller 72. The frame 42 may be adjustably
coupled to the upright member 30 for movement of the material holding
apparatus 40 along the upright member vertical axis 36. As shown, the
frame 42 may include a sleeve portion 44 that defines an aperture within
which the upright member 30 may be located such that the frame 42 may
move, or slide, upwardly and downwardly along the upright member 30.

[0039] The frame 42 may further include locking apparatus 45 that may hold
the frame 42 in a fixed position relative to the upright member 30 (e.g.,
such that the material holding apparatus 40 may not move vertically or
rotationally with respect to the upright member 30). In at least one
embodiment, the locking apparatus 45 may include a handle that may be
rotated to contact the upright member 30. In at least another embodiment,
the locking apparatus 45 may include a "dead man" locking apparatus that
includes a handle that automatically engages the upright member 30 (e.g.,
using a spring-biased pin that enters an aperture located on the upright
member 30).

[0040] The roll holding apparatus 46, which may be coupled to the frame
42, is configured to hold a roll 50 of adhesive-backed material 52. To do
so, the roll holding apparatus 46 may include a pair of cylindrical
portions 48 that may enter the open ends of the cylindrical core 54 of
the roll 50. Further, the lower cylindrical portion 48 may further
include a plate or disc 59 that is configured to further hold the roll 50
(e.g., to keep the adhesive-backed material 52 on the roll 50 itself). As
shown, the roll holding apparatus 46 may further include a pivotable
portion 47 that may be moved to load a roll 50 into the roll holding
apparatus 46.

[0041] The roll holding apparatus 46 is configured to allow the roll 50 to
rotate about a roll axis 49 to distribute the material 52 from the roll
50. In the embodiment depicted, the roll axis 49 is substantially
vertical (e.g., perpendicular to the ground surface 12, parallel to the
wall surface 90, etc.). In other embodiments, the roll axis 49 may not be
substantially vertical so long as it allows the material 52 to be
distributed, or moved, to the first and second rollers 70, 72.

[0042] The first and second rollers 70, 72 are each coupled to the frame
42 and configured to position a portion 51 (as shown in FIG. 1B) of the
adhesive-backed material 52 in a plane for application to a wall surface
90. For example, the adhesive-backed material 52 may be extended from the
roll 50 to, and partially around, an outer surface of the first roller
70, and then to, and partially around, an outer surface of the second
roller 72. Together, the first and second rollers 70, 72 align the
portion 51 of the material 52 in a substantially planar configuration
that may be substantially parallel to a wall surface 90 (e.g., that is
perpendicular to the ground surface 12). In other words, the first and
second rollers 70, 72 align the portion 51 of the material 52 in a
configuration that is perpendicular to the ground surface 12. Further, in
one or more embodiments, each of the rollers 70, 72 may have a height 77
(as shown in FIG. 5A) that is at least as long as the height 64 (as shown
in FIG. 5B) of the adhesive-backed material 52.

[0043] The material holding apparatus 40 may be described as defining a
material distribution pathway 96 (as shown in FIG. 3B) from the roll 50
to, and partially around, the first roller 70 and to, and partially
around, the second roller 72. Further, frame 42 may further include guide
members 43 located proximate each of the first and second rollers 70, 72.
The guide members 43 may be located on the interior of the material
distribution pathway 96 and may be used to guide the adhesive-backed
material 52 to and around the rollers 70, 72. Further, one of the guide
members 43 may be used to attach an end 53 of the adhesive-backed
material 52 to stow the adhesive-backed material 52 when not in use. In
other words, the end 53 of the adhesive-backed material 52 may be
attached to a guide member 43 to stop the roll 50 of material 52 from
unraveling or unspooling (as shown in FIG. 3B).

[0044] Although the material holding apparatus 40 described herein
includes two rollers and two guides, it is to be understood the exemplary
systems and/or apparatus may include any number of rollers and guides,
e.g., to be used in the application of a material to a surface.

[0045] Further, the first roller 70 may be rotationally coupled to the
frame 42 about a first roller axis 71 and the second roller 72 may also
be rotationally coupled to the frame 42 about a second roller axis 73.
The ability of the first and the second rollers 70, 72 to rotate freely
may further assist in the movement and in the even distribution of the
adhesive-backed material 52 from the roll 50 to the wall surface 90.

[0046] As depicted, the first roller axis 71 and the second roller axis 73
may be substantially parallel to each other and substantially
perpendicular to the ground surface 12. In turn, the wall surface 90,
upon which the adhesive-backed material 52 may be applied, may be
perpendicular to the ground surface 12, and as such, the first roller
axis 71 and the second roller axis 73 may be parallel to the wall surface
90.

[0047] As described herein, the height 64 of the adhesive-backed material
52 may be about 20 inches to about 96 inches. In one or more embodiments,
the material holding apparatus 40 may be modifiable or adaptable to
facilitate adhesive-backed material 52 of various heights 64. For
example, the frame 42, the roll holding apparatus 46, the first roller
70, and the second roller 72, as well as any other part of the material
holding apparatus 40, may be extended or shortened (e.g., in a direction
parallel to the height 77 or roller axes 71, 73 of the rollers 70, 72) to
accommodate shorter or taller rolls of adhesive-backed material 52, or
alternatively, one or more substitute parts having extended or shortened
dimensions may be used (e.g., rollers and/or guide members having a
longer length may be used in a frame lengthened by extension apparatus).

[0048] In at least one embodiment as shown in FIG. 9, extension apparatus
designed for one or more parts of the material holding apparatus 200
(shown in FIG. 8) may be coupled to such parts, and/or substitute parts
may be substituted for such one or more parts, to extend the height of
the material holding apparatus 200 to accommodate taller rolls of
adhesive-backed material. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the frame 242
may include extension elements 290 (e.g., coupled at the top of the frame
242 with bolts 291) that increases the height of the frame 242 (e.g.,
taken parallel to axes of rollers 270, 272) from about 28 inches to about
36 inches (or to about 56 inches). Further, for example, with the frame
242 extended, a substitute first roller 270 and a substitute second
roller 272 may be used to increase the height of the first and second
rollers to about 36 inches (or to about 56 inches). Still further, for
example, substitute guide members 243 may be used to increase the height
of the guide members (e.g., taken parallel to the roller axes of the
rollers 270, 272) from about 28 inches to about 36 inches (or to about 56
inches). Such guide members or rollers could be extended using extension
elements instead of substitute parts.

[0049] Not all wall surfaces 90 and ground surfaces 12 are substantially
perpendicular and/or uniform (e.g., free from irregularities, etc.). To
address these issues among others, each of the first and second rollers
70, 72 may include resilient material 75. Resilient material 75 may be
defined as material that is compressible under application of force from
a normal state to a compressed state and that returns to the normal state
when the force is removed. A "normal state" may be defined as the shape
and volume of the resilient material 75 before any external forces are
applied to it (except, e.g., natural forces that may include gravity, air
pressure, etc.). In one or more embodiments, resilient material 75 may be
compressible to a "compressed state" that occupies about 70% or less
volume, about 60% or less volume, about 50% or less volume, about 40% or
less volume, about 30% or less volume, or 20% or less volume, than
occupied by the resilient material 75 in the normal state. In at least
one embodiment, the resilient material 75 may be a closed cell material.
However, open cell materials may also be used. Still further, for
example, in at least one embodiment, nitrile rubber (NBR) foam may be
used.

[0050] The resiliency, or compressibility, of the resilient material 75 of
the first and second rollers 70, 72 may allow the rollers 70, 72 to be
compressed against the wall surface 90 during application of the
adhesive-backed material 52 to the wall surface 90. Further, the
resiliency of the resilient material 75 of the first and second rollers
70, 72 may allow an even distribution of pressure across the entire
height 64 of the material 52 to the wall surface 90 resulting in an even
application of the material 52 to the wall surface 90. Still further, the
resiliency of the resilient material 75 of the first and second rollers
70, 72 may allow the rollers 70, 72 to be compressed against the wall
surface 90 to provide even application of the adhesive-backed material 52
to a wall surface 90 that contains irregularities (e.g., bumps, cracks,
seams, etc.) and/or that is not perpendicular to the ground surface 12.

[0051] Further, as depicted, the roll axis 49 may be substantially
parallel to the first roller axis 71 and the second roller axis 73, e.g.,
to allow even distribution of the adhesive-backed material 52 from the
roll 50 to the first and second rollers 70, 72, to provide a planar
portion 51 of the adhesive-backed material 52, etc.

[0052] Further, the rollers 70, 72 may be configured (e.g., positioned)
such that they may be used to continuously apply adhesive-backed material
52 through corners. For example, a first wall surface may abut a second
wall surface at a corner (e.g., a 90 degree corner, a 270 degree corner,
etc.). The applicator 10 may be moved through the corner such that each
of the rollers 70, 72 maintain contact with one of the first wall surface
and the second wall surface. For example, when the applicator 10 is
moving through a corner from a first wall surface to a second wall
surface, a first roller may meet the corner first and may be transitioned
from the first wall surface to the second wall surface while moving the
applicator 10 through the corner. When the second roller reaches the
corner, it also may be transitioned from the first wall surface to the
second wall surface leaving continuously applied adhesive-backed material
extending from the first wall surface, through the corner, and onto the
second wall surface.

[0053] As described herein, the base portion 20 may include one or more
horizontal wheels 26 that may be used in conjunction with the material
holding apparatus 40 to apply adhesive-backed material to a wall surface.
For example, the horizontal wheels 26 may be configured in conjunction
with the first and second rollers 70, 72 to contact a wall surface
simultaneously such that even pressure is applied vertically along each
of the first and the second rollers 70, 72. Further, the horizontal
wheels 26 may provide stability to the applicator 10 when the material
holding apparatus 40 is located in an upper position as shown in FIG. 4B.
In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the circumference of
each of the one or more horizontal wheels 26 and the first and second
rollers 70, 72 defines a plane 92 when configured to contact a wall
surface 90 simultaneously (as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B).

[0054] The material holding apparatus 40 (e.g., apart and/or removed from
the applicator 10) may be used by itself to apply adhesive-backed
material 52 to a surface (e.g., a ground surface or floor, a wall
surface, a ceiling surface, etc.). In essence, the material holding
apparatus 40 may be an "applicator," and as such, may be called an
"applicator" when described to be used without the remainder of the
applicator 10.

[0055] For example, applicator 100, which is the material holding
apparatus 40 used without the base portion 20 and the upright member 30,
may be used to apply a material, e.g., an adhesive-backed material, to a
ground surface 12 (e.g., floor) as depicted in FIG. 6. Although the
applicator 100 is shown applying adhesive-backed material to a ground
surface 12, a technician may use the applicator 100 to apply
adhesive-backed material to any surface such as, e.g., a ceiling surface,
a slanted-wall surface, a wall surface, etc.

[0056] An additional embodiment of an applicator 200 is depicted in FIGS.
7-8. Applicator 200 may include many of the same apparatus and
structures, and may be used in substantially the same way, as the
applicator 10 described in reference to FIGS. 1-5. The applicator 200,
however, includes a few differences from the applicator 10.

[0057] For example, the upright member 230 of the applicator 200 has a
square tubular cross section. As a result, the material holding apparatus
240 of the applicator 100 may not be rotatable about an axis extending
along the upright member 230.

[0058] Further, for example, the base portion 220 of the applicator 200 is
shaped differently that the base portion 20 of the applicator 10. Due to
this different shape, the base portion 220 of the applicator 200 may
allow positioning of the material holding apparatus 240 in the lowermost
position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4c) without rotating the material
holding apparatus 240 about an axis extending along the upright member
230.

[0059] Still further, for example, the material holding apparatus 240 may
include a "dead man" locking apparatus 245 that includes a handle that
automatically engages the upright member 230 (e.g., using a spring-biased
pin that enters one of a plurality of apertures 232 located on the
upright member 230).

[0060] The complete disclosure of the patents, patent documents, and
publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety
as if each were individually incorporated. Exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure are described above. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that many embodiments are possible within the scope of the
disclosure. Other variations, modifications, and combinations of the
various components and methods described herein can certainly be made and
still fall within the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the invention is
limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto.

Patent applications by Bryan T. Johnson, Vadnais Heights, MN US

Patent applications by Innovative Tools & Technologies, Inc.

Patent applications in class With work feeding or handling means

Patent applications in all subclasses With work feeding or handling means